During April 2025, the Department of Psychology at the University of Pretoria (UP), had the privilege of participating in the Transformation for Social Impact (TSI) event hosted by the Faculties of Health Sciences and Humanities.
As part of this initiative, we welcomed two international experts:
-
Professor Katarzyna Lubiewska from the University of Warsaw, Poland, and Professor Derrick Gordon from the Yale School of Medicine, USA
-
Prof Lubiewska leads the Parenting and Attachment Laboratory and has extensive experience in cross-cultural and large-scale research projects, while Prof Gordon is a leading scholar in community psychology with expertise in community-based work.
Following the official welcome ceremony and campus tour on Monday, 7 April 2025, our department hosted the experts from 08 to 10 April 2025. On 08 April, both professors presented at a departmental seminar, engaging staff and students on their respective research and practice areas. The following day included a visit to Mamelodi, where they interacted with members of the Mamelodi Men’s Forum, early childhood development educators, and local caregivers. This exchange was particularly meaningful and informative for our guests.
On 10 April, both experts delivered lectures to our master's students, and one student’s insightful contributions led Prof Gordon to invite him to collaborate on a forthcoming research project between Yale and the Boys Strength Society. Staff members also had the opportunity to engage in breakaway research sessions to explore potential research partnerships.
The week concluded with an interfaculty seminar on 11 April, where all visiting experts and departments shared their insights and activities. Overall the week provided a platform for new collaboration opportunities for knowledge exchange between the two faculties and the experts from around the globe.
TSI Project International Expert Profiles:
- Prof Kasia Lubiewska is currently a Professor in the Human Development Unit at the Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw (UW), Warsaw in Poland. Her area of interest relates to developmental and cross-cultural psychology. She has been actively involved in several cross-cultural projects that investigate family relations, with a particular focus on attachment and intensive parenting.
- Prof Derrick Gordon is an Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine (Yale), New Haven, City of Connecticut. He has considerable experience in intervention and prevention development having served as an investigator on several federal, NIH, and state funded projects and studies focused on those factors that either support or undermine men transitioning from prison back to the community.
Members of the Department of Psychology (UP) and the International Experts:
(left to right)
Prof Maretha Visser (UP, Psychology), Dr Jacomien Muller (UP, Psychology) Prof Kasia Lubiewska (UW),
Prof Derrick Gordon () & Prof Tharina Guse (HOD: UP, Psychology)
Virtual Campus
Get Social With Us
Download the UP Mobile App